Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa makes Time’s list of 100 most influential people

Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa has made Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People 2018 list.

The annual list features some of the world’s most significant artists, leaders, scientists, activists and entrepreneurs. They are are chosen by the editors with nominations coming from the list’s alumni, the magazine’s international writing staff and readers.

Mnangagwa took power after former president Robert Mugabe quit following a de facto military coup last November. He has vowed to hold ‘credible’ elections and turn around the southern African country’s moribund economy.

Britain said on Friday it would strongly support Zimbabwe’s re-entry to the Commonwealth and praised Mnangagwa for impressive progress since taking office. Zimbabwe left the organisation after Mugabe was criticised over disputed elections and land seizures from white farmers.

Mnangagwa is listed in the leaders category, with the write-up by activist Evan Mawarire about Mnangagwa, he said: “In his first 100 days, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa spoke of re-engaging, forgiveness, democracy and unity. But though words matter, so does the survival of a system that destroyed the hopes and dreams of generations.”

The only other African to make the list was US-based South African comedian Trevor Noah.

“He is uncannily skilled at holding up a mirror to whatever room he is in. Trevor is always reaching out: across cultures, continents and boundaries. He makes us laugh with each other and brings us that much closer to under­standing one another,” wrote Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o.

Zimbabwe president Emmerson Mnangagwa makes Time’s list of 100 most influential people